Module: Mapping

The Mapping module offers several ways to get maps you need into your PDA: from topographical maps, marine charts, aeronautical/satellites images, to street level or site plans…

It also provides efficient and intuitive moving map display functionality for quick and easy journey planning as well as traveling functions when used in conjunction with GPS module.

• Locate your current location on maps
• View your progress while moving
• Highlight, locate and navigate to nearby maps POIs
• Follow road maps when navigating

Maps Support

The Mapping module allows to display any raster bitmaps maps in your PDA.

1. Either instantly download on-line geo-coded maps from a range of worldwide destinations anywhere, anytime. Simply, from home or on the move, type a specific address, choose a POI, or locate yourself on a map and in minutes, you get on-line plans to start your journey
   
2. or, navigate with your own maps*, by directly drag BMP or GIF** raster maps to external memory (Compact Flash, Memory Stick, SD Cards).
    
3. or, convert and install in RAM digital or scanned maps** using Cartographer, our Map Manager companion tool.

* For preparing maps to use on the device. You must specify the longitude and latitude coordinates of each map.

** ARM device recommended
 

Online maps

GPS Pilot have teamed up with best online maps providers to allow browsing of vast geo-databases to deliver up-to-date, pertinent and concise information to your PDA.

• Before requesting online maps, make sure that your PDA is able to connect to the Internet.
  Cartography access is adapted for land modem, and wireless connection.
   
  Connection via infrared, serial port (cellular, GSM, wireless network etc.), OmniSky network and communication devices like the Palm VII series, the Palm i705 handheld (U.S. only), and cell phones like Handspring Tro. You can also use the Internet connection of your PC via the cradle using PC-PDA Internet gateway software such as Mocha PPP or softick PPP. Mocha W32 PPP supports IR or serial port connection Softick PPP establishes PPP sessions over USB connections. internet connectivity.
  More info on the Internet FAQ section.
   
• Then specify the map area you wish to request.. Enter a new address (via POI interface), focus on a POI, or locate the area by centering an existing map on it.
   
• And fulfill your request by defining map's scale: zoom in/out to obtain the right scale factor.
   
• Apply one of the menu options Map-<provider name> to send your request to the <provider>'s web site.
   
• Download will normally take several seconds, depending on the speed of your internet link, and take around 3mb of cache space. A count down message is displayed on the screen indicating the estimated download time left.
  Maps are automatically cached on external memory (Compact Flash, Memory Stick, SD Cards), if any on RAM otherwise, so you do not have to go online again to retrieve the maps.
   
• Beware, when you first activate the Map-<provider name>, you also trigger the automatic Auto-Web mode, that allows to multi maps download without re-starting the all on-line request process. Indeed, no more data out-of-range, reuqest any on-line maps by simply dragging or zooming the current one.
  Attention: this Auto-Web feature does not work on zoomed maps, maps need to be displayed at their regular scale. Also if a map requested (same scale, same area) is already present on the PDA, the map is not re-downloaded.
   
• To cancel the Auto-Web mode, either click on the icon on the bottom left corner of the map, or apply the cancel button on the Map-<provider name> box.

Note: To allow several on-line requests without re-establishing the Internet sign up process, set your GPS input no GPS. Indeed in this case, the internet communication will not be cut off after the end of each internet request.
If a GPS is set, he internet communication will be cut off, and the process of GPS initialization launched.
 

Aeroplanner maps

wold wide aeronautical maps

Get on-line aeronautical or marine charts and tripticks (VFR WAC, VFR sectional, IFR high or low, Vect high or Vect low).

Access to Aeroplanner navigation portal allows to get different charts such as:

Aeroplanner plug-in

Aeroplanner plug-in allows to access Aeroplanner portal from any GPS Pilot applications.

Subscription to Aeroplanner plug-in can be done immediately for USD 24.95, register here.
Attention you will need a Aeroplanner licence to get Aeronautical maps

To request Aeroplanner maps, specify the map area you wish to request by entering a new address (via POI interface), focus on a POI, or locate the area by centering an existing map on it and define the map's scale: zoom in/out to obtain the right scale factor. Then apply menu option Maps-Aeroplanner.

The full route check box is only useful for the Flying or Tracking module:

• Coupled with the Flying module, after entering your flight plan, check the full route box, and request the online resources you wish. You will get in return your flight plan maps and route
• In conjunction with the Tracking module, the route is the set of all tracks steps (edited tracks point). Check the full route box, and request the online resources you wish. You will get in return the maps and route
  

Swissgeo maps

Coverage swiss topographical maps of 10/10000 to 1000/10000 scale

+ European coverage topographical maps 100/10000 scale

SwissGeo plug in

SwissGeo plug-in allows to access SwissGeo portal from any GPS Pilot applications.

Subscription to SwissGeo license and plug-in can be done for 8 Swiss Francs per month, register here

Once the subscription is done, you are able to download SwissGeo on-line maps into your PDA.
First initialize your SwissGeo account, select the menu Maps-SwissGeo, and click on the SwissGeo logo and then enter your SwissGeo username and pass + code you received during the purchase of your SwissGeolicense and plug-in member. Click on the "check" icon to validate your settings.

To request SwissGeo maps, specify the map area you wish to request by entering a new address (via POI interface), focus on a POI, or locate the area by centering an existing map on it. Then apply menu Maps-SwissGeo and select the scale of the requested maps by selecting the correct level, and apply the ok button to start the on line demand.

Maps on external memory

Directly, drag and drop or bmp, or gif** raster maps files into external memory (SD Cards, Compact Flash, or Memory Sticks), and they will be GPS Pilot ready!
** ARM device recommended

For files management on external memory, use a card reader or a card export software.
First create a /GPSpilot/ directory from root to store GPS Pilot maps.
You can store independent maps directly under this directory, or create sub directories for family of maps.

A family of maps is a concept that allows to import a large map into separate, independent files to speed up retrieving, loading, and display processes.
Maps belonging to a family of maps should have the same scale. They are stitched together and are displayed as one big map, but each of them have its own calibration properties. If you delete one map of the family, the complete family will be destroyed.

Each map's file can have a corresponding .geo file associated that contains map's multipoint calibration information. This .geo file need to be located under the same directory as the associated map.
.geo file can be created by hand if you know the calibration information or is automatically created by the system once the map is calibrated on the device.
If there is .geo file associated, the map is by default calibrated around the equator (Lat=0, Lon=0).

The <maps_name>.geo file contains a list of calibration points in the format :

rpi=”Latitude, Longitude, Y, X”

where Latitude, Longitude give the calibration point coordinate in   DD.dddd format
and Y, X give the pixel position of the corresponding point on the map

the Y axis is the latitude axis, the X is the longitude one
The (0,0) origin point where Y=0, X=0 of the map is the top left corner of the map

Exemple:
rp0="45.2201119,5.6913610,41,1501"
rp1="45.1977196,5.6908336,1036,1528"
rp2="45.1997528,5.6441665,1007,58"
rp3="45.2158318,5.6461110,286,94"
 

Tip : At least 3 calibration points are necessary

Tip : It is possible to add comment to a point in the geo file, by adding any string after the ended quote character " like :
rp8="47.0507,8.30948,1234,5678" // LUZERN
or
rp8="47.0507,8.30948,1234,5678" LUZERN
Attention a space character needs to follow the ended quote character
this is not meant to be shown on the map but for identification in the geo file.

.gif files, on their first use, will automatically be associated with a .toc file. This file is created and used internally to improve the performance of gif display. Do not try to delete, or modify .toc files.
 

Maps on RAM

Maps stored internally must be in .pdb format.

On desktop machines prepare your own maps to be GPS Pilot ready, with our free PC Map Manager application Cartographer. Scan your paper maps or get digital maps from CD ROM software, web sites, … and convert them to .pdb maps databases. Hot sync them on your PDA, to visualize them within GPS Pilot Atlas, Tracker or Fly applications.

Cartographer is compliant with any .bmp, .gif or .jpg raster bitmap maps for any 256 color, up to 16 level of gray scale, black and white, maps. Cartographer supports Mercator projection maps with north-top orientation and 2 points-calibration process -top left and right bottom coordinates of the map-. Cartographer manages compression and maps size limitation by splitting large maps into several smaller maps grouped together as a family of maps that react as the whole big map.

More details on Cartographer manual.
 

Multipoint calibration

A map must be perfectly calibrated to enable GPS guidance and navigation. GPS Pilot offers you several way automatic or not to calibrate, re-calibrate, and fine-calibrate your maps:

• on-line maps are automatically fine calibrated using online information,
• maps on external memory can be multi-point calibrated via .geo file,
• maps in RAM can be 2 points-calibrated via cartographer
• and, you can calibrate or re-calibrate any maps on your PDA device. The menu options Map-Calibrate and Map-Nudge enable fine multi- points calibration of the current map.

On your PDA device, create your calibration points (minimum 3) using the POIs module. You can enter the coordinates by hands or using the GPS data input.
Then Apply the menu Map-Calibrate and place precisely the cross icon on the calibration points you have created before. When you have positioned all your calibration points on the map, re-select the menu Map-Calibrate, to end the multi-points calibration process. Your map is calibrated!

Step-by-step calibration process:

1. Select your map from the map list
2. Enter Calibrate mode via the menu Map-Calibrate
3. For each calibration point:
   1. Scroll on your map so the cross is over where the calibration point is supposed to be.
      (Don't let any other POIs get under the cross while you're doing this.)
   2. Tap on the center of the map, select Center On... and select your calibration point.
      This associates the calibration point with the point on the map under the cross.
4. Exit Calibrate mode by selecting the menu Map-Calibrate.

If you notice that a map is off few meters from your current GPS marker, or the map is not aligned to a track or set of points, use nudge controls to slightly reposition the map. Apply the menu option Map-Nudge and slide the map over the correct locations. This function I currently is only available for gif and bmp maps stored on external memory.
 

Map screen

The map screen utilizes your entire PDA screen to show as large a map area as possible. Multi-resolution color (Grayscale, 256 color, and new high definition color) and high resolution screen (Sony, Garmin, Palm Tugsten, HandEra …) support.
Around the center of the map screen, your current position is represented by a cross.

The scale of the current map is indicated at the bottom right corner of the screen and represents the half of the screen's height.

Maps can be dragged using your finger or the Palm stylet. As you drag to the edge of the display, the map moves and redraws.

Proximity information can be superimposed on maps to allow easy visual scanning of POIs that are in close proximity. The menu Option-Preferences allows to define map's display preferences such as no POIs superimposed, only POIs specific types, POIs label or icons, etc…

For convenience in looking over an area at different scales, the Mapping module offers two different views. The display options for these 2 views can be defined via the Preferences screen - map details, map display and auto-zoom feautures-.

The graphical indicator located left to the scale shows which map view is displayed: “1” and “2” icon show the two views. To switch between these views either click on these icons or use the Hard Button 3 as a shortcut.

Display preferences are independent for each views. You can choose to get no POIs information on the larger view to avoid overloading the display whereas in the most detailed view, you wish to get the most proximity information in displaying all POIs.

Via the auto-zoom option, each view can be activated to display automatically the most detailed view of the current area

Map zoom

An effective automatic built-in zoom in/out feature detects, loads and/or extends on the fly, appropriate and perfectly accurate maps according to current location and scale.

The zooming function operates slightly differently according if your view is autozoomable:

• if your view is not set to auto-zoom, your current map can be zoomed in/out (i.e smoothly extends/divides by 2) infinitely using the scroll hard button, whereas selecting the scale indicator brings up the list of the maps available at different scale for the current area.
  In these view to zoom in/out through list of the maps available at different scale for the current area, use either the jog dial or apply the two scrolls icons displayed next to the scale. These two icons give feedback on which loaded maps are available at the other levels.
   
• if your view is set to auto-zoom, the scroll hard buttons function also extends/divides by 2 the current map. However, if there is a related map loaded on your device, this one will be displayed.

Map selection

To display a map you can select its name, ask for the one that best cover a specific area or request a map focusing on a specific location.

• The menu Maps-List visualizes the list of the maps pre-loaded on RAM and external memory (SD cards, Compact Flash, Memory sticks)
  You can choose the current map's database through the categories' menu list located at top-right corner of the screen. To visualize a map, select its name from the list.
   
• The menu Map-Best Fit -available when coupled with the Tracking or Flying modules - allows to display the entire track log or flightlog on the best-scaled map.
   
• The option Center on from the contextual popup menu available at the center of the map screen allows to select any POI you would like to focus on. If a map is available for this new region, it will be instantly displayed.
   
• Select any POI on the map and apply the option Center on, the map will be centered around it.
  
   

Map management

To get details on the characteristics of the current maps such name, type (gif, bmp,...), and size, apply the menu Maps-Details. Only the name of the map can be modified.

To backup maps database stored on RAM, apply the backup option within the preferences screen available via the menu Option-Preferences. Database stored on the Palm internal will be backed-up during the next Hot Sync in the directory c:/Palm/<Palm user name>/backup/.

To delete a map, use the menu Map-Delete. The current map and its map database (if any) will be erase from your Palm memory.
 

GPS data

When a GPS device is connected, current position and GPS navigational data are visualized at on screen. Your current position is represented by an arrow that shows the direction you are heading to. As you travel to the edge of the display, the map moves/redraws to constantly show your current location. At the bottom of the screen you can read GPS status with the number of satellites on view, current heading, speed, and altitude.

The flow of GPS information is feeding continuously the application. But when users actions are done on the map, the flow is interrupted for few seconds to enable user's interaction with the application. The GPS flow of data is then resumed after a few seconds' laps if no new actions have been taken.

SMS functions

Only for PDA smartphone devices like the Treo 650.

The menu SMS allows to transmit by SMS your current position to a valid phone number a SMS. the SMS function works in 2 phases: first the initialization of the phone, then the transmission of your current position via SMS

1. Initialization of the phone. Under the SMS option, select the Settings  option and enter a valid phone number in  the SMS number field
2. Transmission of your current position via SMS. In the Settings box, you can also define a time interval to send your positions. Or you can send manually your position everytime you select the option SMS-Send Position

Unit and display selection

To change units of each geographical information, or select your maps screen display preferences use the menu Options-Preferences.
 

Hard key assignments

The PDA physical buttons are redefined as shortcut for GPS Pilot applications.

The scroll buttons allows the zoom in/out functionality of the map. Button 3 allows to switch between the different Map views.

For Palm Tungsten users, zoom in/out the 5-way navigator up and down keys, right and left keys allow to scroll directly from map to map, and the center key brings up the Preferences screen.
 

Contextual help

A first-aid tutorial that answers to most common questions is available via the menu Option-Help.
 

> Mapping FAQ
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